By JOSHUA JUSTMAN JTA Chief Correspondent in Israel JERUSALEM, (JTA)—Presi- dent Zalman Shazar told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency this week that to him the central task of the Presidency was that of rallying the forces in Israel for internal unity and consoli- dation, a need he called a "his- torical imperative." He took the opportunity, in the exclusive interview, to ex- press through the JTA his thanks to his many friends abroad for their congratulations and good wishes. He said the task of creating internal unity in Israel was the task pursued by his predeces- sor, the late Itzhak Ben-Zvi, and he expressed the hope that he would be successful in follow- ing in his footsteps. Israel's third President dis- closed that he had been ini- tially hesitant about accept- ing the nomination. He said that as a member of the World Zionist Organization executive, "I devoted the past decade to cultural and educa- tional work, a task which is close to my heart and which I consider of paramount im- portance. I was reluctant to leave it. He added that getting assur- ance that this work would not be affected was one of his main concerns in the days preceding his decision on acceptance. With characteristic frankness, the President added that there were "other reasons" for his hesitancy. He said that, knowing the reality of Israel's internal poli- tical life, the divergent nature of the Israeli community and the special nature of Israel's relationship with world Jewry, he had wondered whether he could live up to the task. De- claring that he was "under no illusions about the difficulties of the task," he added that "to the extent we will be able to overcome the gap between com- munities and hasten cultural in- tegration in Israel and narrow that between the secular and- religious elements, and bring about a meeting of hearts — the state's character will be de- termined and strengthened." He told the JTA he felt that not enough was being done to strengthen the ties and deepening the recogni- tion of mutuality between Israel and Jews in other countries. He said that while the problem was recognized "theoretically," in practice there was a "still wide-open field," a field "crying out for action." The many years he had de- voted to the Zionist movement before and after joining the WZO executive, and especially the experience gaind ein fur- thering the work of Jewish edu- cation and culture would, he said, be of invaluable help to him as President. He stressed that peace — both within and without — remained the goal Israel must pursue with maximum effort and de- termination. He emphasized that the friendships which Israel had developed with many nations "are a great achieve- ment and asset and we must continue to foster such friend- ship as before in a spirit of sincerity and with the aim of mutual assistance." * * * JERUSALEM, (JTA) — In one of his first acts as Presi- dent, Zalman Shazar reduced this week the life sentences of two Israelis convicted in the murder of Dr. Rudolph Kastner, and commuted the sentence of the young kidnapper of Yoselle Schumacher. Zev Eckstein and Josef Menkes, convicted in 1957 and given life sentences in the murder of Dr. Kastner, had their terms reduced to 10 years each. Dan Shemer, serving a lesser sentence for implication in the same crime, was to be released on the Shavuot. Eckstein and Menkes will be eligible for release Nov. 6 if the customary sen- tence reductions for good be- havior are applied. Kastner was the center of a political controversy arising from his activities as a leader of the Hungarian Jewish community under the Nazi annihilation program. Shalom Shtarkes, uncle of Yoselle Schumaker, was sen- last January to three year's im- prisonment on conviction of kidnapping his nephew in one of Israel's most celebrated religious conflict cases. He was also sen- tenced to two year's imprison- ment for perjury. The uncle also was released on Shavuot Eve. Yoselle, whose disappearance for -two years stirred a search on three continents, was finally found by United States Secret Service operatives in the home of a Brooklyn rabbi last sum- mer. Shtarkes, who went to England after the boy's disap- pearance, was extradited to Israel for trial. Pittsburgh Federation Raises $1,579,307 PITTSBURGH, ( J T A ) — Th e United Jewish Feder a tion brought its 1963 campaign to a successful conclusion at Green Oaks Country Club where it was announced that a total of $1,- 579,307 had been raised in the drive. Alvin Rogal, campaign chairman, said that the result was 100.33 per cent of the amount raised last year. This is $5,000 more than the 1962 total. Does USSR Seek Chaos in Middle East? By SAUL CARSON to this tangle, aside from the more than 60 per cent of the JTA Correspondent at the UN vicious aims of the Soviet Union entire March 31 deficit. (Copyright, 1963, and its Arab allies. Some West- Israel is only "incidental" to Jewish Telegraphic ,Agency, Inc.) ern countries also refuse to pay UNITED NATIONS, N.Y. — for the Congo force. In addition, Moscow's plans in regard to the The Soviet Union has declared many small nations want the United Nations. The Kremlin has proved long ago that it all-out war against the United bigger powers to pay even more doesn't care a fig whether Israel Nations. It is out to break the than they are paying now. continues to exist. It would just UN financially. Involved, among The fact is, however, that if as soon have UNEF and UNSTO other phases of the UN work, the Soviet Union and its Arab dissolved — and let chaos reign are the Emergency Force and allies would pay up — the UN in the Middle East. But its ulti- the UN Truce Supervision Or- ganization. UNEF is the body could get out of the red. Al- mate aim is not only Middle together, the Soviet Union itself East anarchy — it is world of troops standing on guard at owes a total of $60,482,617 — anarchy. Israel only happens to the Gaza Strip border with Is- be in the middle here, since it rael and Sharm el-Sheikh, is Western-oriented, while its on the Gulf of Akaba, UNTSO is Lady Bird's Role Arab enemies are presumably- the UN machinery which super- in Israel Celebration "neutral" — meaning they lean vises the armistice pacts be- toward the Soviet Union when, tween Israel on the one hand Incites Arab Wrath Lady Bird Johnson caused a indeed, they are not actually and, on the other, the four Arab stir in Arab circles after she in the Soviet camp. neighbors—Egypt, Jordan, Syria agreed to serve as honorary and Lebanon. chairman of a program com- Until now, the USSR has re- memorating the founding of Is- fused to pay for UNEF and for rael. The Iraqi embassy released the UN force in the Congo. Now a letter calling on Mrs. Johnson the new USSR representative to withdraw because such "a here, Nikolai T. Fedorenko, has celebration means celebrating ag- Certified Master Watchmaker and Jeweler put UNTSO on the same foot- gression and atrocities against ' Mg. our people." 18963 Livernois Ave. Mrs. Johnson said no to an in- Between Jan. 1 of this year and the end of March, the UN vitation from all 12 Arab em- -UN 1-8184 deficit had grown from $74,100,- bassies to help celebrate their OPEN THURS. TO 9 P.M. 000 to $93,900,000. Efforts have national holidays. been made to float a $200,000,- 000 bond issue to pay the defi- Strictly cits. Much' of that issue has Poultry been sold, and all of it will Kosher undoubtedly be subscribed. Now Meats and the Soviet Union says that it will refuse even to contribute IT'S BAR-B-Q TIME AGAIN! funds to pay interest on that bond issue. UNEF costs about $20,000,- • Hamburger Patties • Tender Cartwheels 000 a year. The USSR alone — besides its satellites — owes • Beef Ribs • Lamb Ribs - more than $14,000,00 . 0 on the . GEORGE OHRENSTEIN KAPLAN BROS. 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MEMBER: FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN INSURANCE CORPORATION • Main office: Woodward at Congress • WO 5-5800 III Neighborhood offices in Detroit and suburbs insured up to $10,000, with dividends compounded and paid quarterly. ■ Each account 3 - THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS — Friday, May 31, 1963 Shazar Calls for Unity of Israel's Forces; President Reduces Terms of Kastner Killers Frees Shtarkes